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principally

American  
[prin-suh-puh-lee, -sip-lee] / ˈprɪn sə pə li, -sɪp li /

adverb

  1. chiefly; mainly.

    Synonyms:
    primarily
principally British  
/ ˈprɪnsɪpəlɪ /

adverb

  1. mainly or most importantly

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See especially.

Etymology

Origin of principally

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; principal, -ly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Kaneva said most of the crude passing through the strait was headed for Asia, principally China.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

This came after Patel’s team assured the press that he was principally in Milan for a variety of very important national security meetings.

From Slate • Feb. 28, 2026

In his judgment, Carter nullified the leases on the grounds that they do not principally benefit veterans as required by law.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2026

The investigation by the Metropolitan Police will focus principally, we expect, on allegations from more than a decade and a half ago.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

What I saw was principally field upon field rolling off into the far distance.

From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.